Assistant trainer Alan Sherman, right, led Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and exercise rider Willie Delgado into a barn after a run over the track Thursday as a layer of thick fog sat above Pimlico in Baltimore. The colt's blood work showed no infection. AP

Assistant trainer Alan Sherman, right, led Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and exercise rider Willie Delgado into a barn after a run over the track Thursday as a layer of thick fog sat above Pimlico in Baltimore. The colt's blood work showed no infection. AP

California Chrome's handlers say cough no reason for concern

BALTIMORE, Md. — Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome has a small blister in his throat but is reported to be "fine" as he prepares to run in Saturday's Preakness Stakes.

California Chrome reportedly coughed "about four times" Thursday after galloping, according to Alexis Garske, spokeswoman for Sherman Racing. Trainer Art Sherman and his son and assistant, Alan, had a veterinarian check California Chrome and draw blood, and the blood work came back "100 percent clear," with no infection present, Garske said.

The small blister is being treated with glycerin throat wash and is not expected to affect his preparation or performance in the Preakness, where he is the 3-5 morning-line favorite.

"The horse is fine, it's not like he's coughing a lot and it's just because it itches him," Garske said. "The thing with Chrome is he actually coughs every morning a couple of times. The only reason (for the vet check) was because (the coughs) were closer together, so they figured let's get the vet over here just to be sure especially with the temperature change (in the weather). But he actually coughs quite often."

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